Riding a high horse: Wisconsin farmer has world's tallest horse

In this photo taken on Jan. 19, 2010, nine-year-old Belgian gelding Jake towers over Melissa Schrock, a co-owner of Smokey Hollow Farm near Poynette, Wis., and miniature stallion Nemo. Jake was being measured that day to see if he is the tallest horse in the world, which he is, according to Guinness World Records. (AP Photo/Portage Daily Register, Lyn Jerde)

POYNETTE, Wis. — When people tell Jerry Gilbert to get off his high horse, they will mean it — literally.

His 9-year-old Belgian gelding named Big Jake is the Guinness World Record-holder for world’s tallest living horse at 20 hands, 2.75 inches or one quarter inch short of 6-foot-11.

That’s 2.75 inches taller than the previous record-holder, a Clydesdale from Texas named Remington.

Gilbert is co-owner of Smokey Hollow Farm near Poynette. He says he received notification from the Guinness World Records in England in late March.

Jake’s coronation as a world record holder was expected Friday night at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison.

Gilbert tells the Portage Daily Register that people can take Jake’s picture, but probably won’t be allowed to stand next to him because Jake is not accustomed to strangers.